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  1. #1
    Derek's Avatar
    Derek is offline
    Cilted Traveler and Minstrel
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    Rain, rain and more rain

    It was rain, rain and more rain when we all went walking in the Brecon Beacons National Park yesterday. The great thing about it was, I remained the most warm and dry on the upper legs thanks to my kilt. Quite a bit of the front apron of the kilt got a real good soaking and a little of the under apron towards the bottom where the top apron kept hitting it in movement. Very little penetrated through the rest. Even my socks just felt damp but warm, better than cold and wet. They ALL admitted in complete honesty that they wished they had my kilt on. The top part of me got really soaked though, as my mack wasn't up to the job. In fairness, the weather was really bad .. we needed our heads red to go out in it , but it was worth the trip. Its nice to see the mountains/rivers/caves in different weather conditions and absorb the surroundings if one is able to get out there and do it.
    Glen .... you were right !!!! .... after a couple of hours of walking yesterday, my cousin did say to me out of the blue, but after we were all talking about how wet we were and how much further we should be going on, 'you obviously like wearing a kilt'... And in reply and making no big deal of it I simple said yes and that I wear it as often as I can. I also told her that I would wear it daily ‘out and about’ if I had more confidence. She simple said 'that's really fabulous'. That was it. We moved on to other conversations. Also my friend in the piccy’s was so impressed with me being more dry on the legs than wet and the comfort factor, he asked me loads of enquiring questions about my kilt, prices, availability, manufacturer etc (when his wife was always out of range). They both have seen me in my kilt loads of times and both have asked the odd usual question over the years about it (tartan, heritage, comfort etc), but this trip I know has sown the kilting seed for him, certainly for wearing one out in the wilds when walking…and that’s a start .. I know once he wears it a few times he’ll find it hard to take it off. He has sent me a text today to say he is already working on his wife rapidly to break her slowly into the fact that he IS going to buy a kilt.… I think he’ll check out an ex hire one from the welsh tartan centre. He’s a very good and close friend and I know he will do it very soon. He’s now on a crusade. All in all another interesting kilting day. I’m starting to find the days when you don’t wear a kilt … boring… lol. But you’ve all been saying that in the posts here for ages so I guess that’s nothing new .. I’ve posted a few pictures in my gallery. Derek
    A Proud Welsh Cilt Wearer

  2. #2
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    Well Derek, you are certainly braver than I was yesterday. We too had atrocious weather: constant heavy rain and gale-force winds, so I decided against even opening the back door and remained in the house all day.

    In all my 50-odd years of kilt wearing, I do not recall ever getting one really wet - maybe, I have always stayed indoors when the precipitation has been heavier than a drizzle!!

    Anyway, 'good for you' and let's hope for better weather on Nov 15th!
    [B][I][U]No. of Kilts[/U][/I][/B][I]:[/I] 102.[I] [B]"[U][B]Title[/B]"[/U][/B][/I]: Lord Hamish Bicknell, Laird of Lochaber / [B][U][I]Life Member:[/I][/U][/B] The Scottish Tartans Authority / [B][U][I]Life Member:[/I][/U][/B] The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society / [U][I][B]Member:[/B][/I][/U] The Ardbeg Committee / [I][B][U]My NEW Photo Album[/U]: [/B][/I][COLOR=purple]Sadly, and with great regret, it seems my extensive and comprehensive album may now have been lost forever![/COLOR]/

  3. #3
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    Re: Rain, rain and more rain

    Quote Originally Posted by Derek
    .... I also told her that I would wear it daily ‘out and about’ if I had more confidence. She simple said 'that's really fabulous'....
    Well, I think you've more than demonstrated that you've got the confidence. But here's something you might want to try in order to get out a bit more. Take at least one day of the week (With me it's Saturdays and Sundays), and make that your personal agreed upon "kilt day". The kilt goes on in the morning and doesn't come off until night - no excuses (short of working under the car.) Anything that has to be done on those days gets done in a kilt. It has the effect of making Monday mornings a bit of a bummer though!


    I’m starting to find the days when you don’t wear a kilt boring...
    I think that statement sums things up pretty well. 8)

  4. #4
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    Hi Derek,

    You sound as though you had an interesting day out in the rain. I have now got myself an Inverness Cape, which means that I will be able to go out for kilted walks in the hills and countryside and keep the kilt dry. I have tended to avoid walking when wet weather is forcast, to make sure that I didn't end up with a soaked kilt. My socks would still get wet though, but that doesn't matter so much as long as my legs don't freeze. My kilt maker warned me about getting my kilt too wet, when I told her that I would be hill walking in it. Has your kilt dried out OK without losing its shape and sharpness of pleats?

    The weather hasn't been quite so bad here fortunately, so the guys replacing my windows didn't have any real hold-ups due to weather.

    Incidentally, did you receieve my last E-Mail?

    Send my regards to Elaine.

    Rob

  5. #5
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    Derek,

    That is such wonderful news! You are truly becoming one of my inspirations in your outings. Good for you
    Glen McGuire

    A Life Lived in Fear, Is a Life Half Lived.

  6. #6
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    Derek, I'm so jealous not only of your kilting confidence, but you get to kilt in the Brecon Beacons! Man, I swear that's the first place I'm going as soon as I finally get to go to the UK.

    Another inspiring story brother. Keep it up!

  7. #7
    Derek's Avatar
    Derek is offline
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    Hi Rob .... firstly I have'nt seen the email you mention. Theres a strong possibility I accidentally deleted it in all the spam I seem to get ... sorry about that if I did. Can you resend? The kilt I wore out in the rain on Sat I have had for 24 years. I keep my welsh cilt for 'ordinary' use only. I let my kilt dry naturally and I have just looked at it now and it still looks the same to me as it always has. One thing I did find quite amazing was the speed in which it dried out. When we got in my cousins car to come home from the beacons she put the heating on. By the time we reached home, approx 60 mins later my kilt was nearly dry. Certainly after a further couple of hours it was totally useable for another kilted walk. As you mentioned re the socks .. mine seemed more damp than just wet ... we always wear woolsocks when we go caving ... they retain the water but act like a central heating system on the feet. I am however going to check out some Inverness Capes today. Sounds a good idea. Can you recommend where you got yours from. Look forward to your email, Derek
    A Proud Welsh Cilt Wearer

  8. #8
    Derek's Avatar
    Derek is offline
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    Hi Murphy ... you must let us know when you come to the UK and we will take you on some great walks in the Brecon Beacons if you want us to. It would be good to meet up. Just for you .. I've added two nice pictures of the Brecon Beacons in my Gallery. Derek
    A Proud Welsh Cilt Wearer

  9. #9
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    Derek, those pictures are awesome! Thank you very much. It would be great to meet up with you if I ever get to Cymru. The first round of ale will be on me.

    Is it possible to experience hiraeth for a place I've never been? Man, I've got to start saving up for a trip.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Derek
    Hi Rob .... firstly I have'nt seen the email you mention. Theres a strong possibility I accidentally deleted it in all the spam I seem to get ... sorry about that if I did. Can you resend?

    Derek
    Hi Derek,

    I have just re-sent it with some additions. Plese E-Mail me if it hasn't arrived.

    Regards,

    Rob

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